Match Report Birkirkara FC - Mosta FC

by Clayton Schembri - 25th January 2021

Birkirkara FC joined Sliema Wanderers in fourth place on 28 points in the BOV Premier League, when they returned to winning ways after defeating Mosta FC with a 1-0 score at the National Stadium on Sunday.

A goal by Luke Montebello in the 90th minute enabled the Stripes to win maximum points. This result was also the tenth consecutive positive result, that puts them once again the challengers for honours.

Birkirkara Coach Mr. Andre Paus made two changes from the goal-less draw against Santa Lucia, as Kurt Zammit and Caio Prado replaced Cain Attard and Federico Falcone who began on the substitutes' bench. Zammit patrolled the left wing while Caio led the attack.

Mosta had their first scoring chance after five minutes, when Kevin Tulimieri low strike was blocked away by the defender Enrico Pepe.

Mosta goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi made his first save on the 18 minutes, when He first clawed away Alves's 20-metre effort, and from the rebound the Brazilian's fierce drive needed to be turned around the post by Mafoumbi.

The Stripes went close to break the deadlock on the 41 minutes, when goalkeeper Mafoumbi was twice called into action in quick succession after Yankam's dummy freed Montebello who burst into the box but Mafoumbi pushed his shot around the post. Luke Montebello again hit a rising shot which Mafoumbi managed to tip over.

After the break, Mosta's intentions were made clear after eight minutes, when Kaljevic shot straight at Guarnone who saved his effort in two attempts.

Birkirkara made a reaction on the 65 minutes, when Kurt Zammit showed his match-vision by supplying an inch-perfect cross towards Alex De Paixao, but he fired wide from an ideal position.

Five minutes later, the Mosta keeper showed sharp reflexes again when he blocked away Alves effort after he received a cross from the left by Paul Mbong.

The Stripes struck the all-important winning goal on the 90 minutes, when Roderick Briffa passed the ball to Alex De Paixao who squared the ball for the towering striker and Montebello was in the ideal position to slip the ball home from close-range.

BIRKIRKARA: Alessandro Guarnone, Enrico Pepe, Yannick Yankam, Luke Montebello, Caio Rocha (69' Federico Falcone), Paul Mbong, Roderick Briffa, Kurt Zammit, Claudio Bonanni, Oscar Carniello, Alex da Paixao (93' Francesco Verde).

MOSTA: Christoffer Mafumbi, Christ Ememe, Johann Bezzina, Duane Bonnici, Gianluca Sciberras (64' William Donkin), Tyron Farrugia, Bojan Kaljevic, Kevin Tulimieri (64' Clayton Faila) (72' Michael Mifsuid), Jonas Ekani, Rafael Morisco.

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Darryl Agius
Yellow Cards: Tulimieri, Farrugia, Guarnone, Bonanni
BOV Player of the Match: Christoffer Mafoumbi

Photo by Christ Sant Fournier

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